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Posted: Tuesday October 22, 2002 1:54 PM Updated: Monday October 28, 2002 2:03 PM George Washington Colonials
The following preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the most thorough preview available of the upcoming season, order the 2002-03 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518. Team Preview | Blue Ribbon Analysis
About 90 minutes was all it took for Karl Hobbs to establish himself as the head coach at George Washington. Hobbs, the former Connecticut assistant who was hired in May of 2001 to clean up after Tom Penders, kicked his team out of the gym an hour and a half into the first practice after a player quit on a drill. The message was clear. There was a new man in charge and things were going to be done his way, the right way. Throw in the facts that Penders left just before an investigation revealed that players broke NCAA rules by ringing up long-distance charges using an assistant coach’s access code, that talented guard SirValiant Brown turned pro after just two seasons and that center Attila Cosby was suspended after being convicted of sexually assaulting a prostitute. Then you begin to see that this was a program in desperate need of new leadership. Enter the energetic Hobbs, who really started over by having the Colonials practice in plain gray T-shirts for the first two days before they earned the right to wear GW’s colors, and his mission to restore -- as the Washington Post headline stated -- "Structure and Dignity."
The Colonials were undersized all season long, but started 10-5 while earning quality non-conference wins over Boston University, Princeton, Old Dominion and Providence and solid Atlantic 10 victories over St. Bonaventure and Richmond, which both reached the NIT. GW wore down a bit in the second half and a 10-game losing streak led to a second straight losing season (after 10 in a row of .500 or better), but things could have been worse. "We were the youngest, smallest and [physically] weakest team in the league," Hobbs said. Those aren’t the most desired characteristics for a basketball team, but they are things the Colonials may have to live with this season as well. Even though the preseason prospectus reports that GW returns four starters, reality says the number may be two and Hobbs could wind up starting three freshmen, a sophomore and a senior. "I always try to have optimistic eyes about things and I’m trying to be optimistic about this year," Hobbs said. "When you’ve got young guys you just don’t know, and sometimes that’s a good thing." Senior guard Chris Monroe (21.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg) is also a good thing. Monroe, a talented 6-foot-3 wing, was the Colonials' only proven performer heading into last season and he still managed to elevate his game despite being the focus of opposing defenses. A second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection, Monroe ranked third in the league and 23rd in the country in scoring. Monroe has the ability to score from inside, outside (55 three-point goals) and at the free-throw line (203-of-266, .763). "He is a guy who just finds ways to score points," Hobbs said. "He attacks the rim as well as anyone and I think the one part of his game that doesn’t get enough recognition is his ability to shoot. He is a terrific, terrific shooter and he will be the backbone of our team." Monroe, who is on pace to become just the second GW player to score 2,000 career points, will take on even more of a leadership role this season and has improved his passing. He should also be more familiar with his teammates and that will help him create scoring opportunities for himself and those around him. Sophomore T.J. Thompson (9.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.3 spg), a 5-11 point guard, learned on the fly last season. Thompson averaged 34.7 minutes per game, second only to Monroe’s 35.2, while leading the Colonials in assists and steals and earning a spot on the Atlantic 10’s All-Rookie Team. "He’s as good as anyone in the league in terms of transition," Hobbs said. "He’s very good at pushing the ball up court and has terrific speed and court awareness." Greg Collucci (10.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg), a 6-3 junior, will also play a prominent role. The son of a coach, Collucci played more than 30 minutes a game (after averaging 8.5 as a freshman) and was selected the Colonials’ most improved player after leading the team with 77 three-point goals. "He’s as good a shooter as there is when you give him time to shoot," Hobbs said. Collucci earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the Red Auerbach Colonial Classic after making a tournament-record eight three-pointers and scoring a career-high 26 points against Yale. He is also a solid defender who understands the game well. Junior Darnell Miller (4.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg , 3.9 apg) is a natural point guard who spent the majority of last season playing out of position as a 6-4 power forward. He provides backcourt depth and experience and will benefit from playing where he is most comfortable. Hobbs is also hopeful that Carl Elliott, a 6-3 freshman from Trinity-Pawling High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., can help. Elliott, who averaged 15 points, four rebounds, eight assists and six steals during his senior season, is known for his unselfish play-making ability and tenacious defense. "He gives us a point guard that we desperately need," Hobbs said. "With his size, at 6-3, it gives us a tremendous ball handler that can run the fast-break and run the offense." While there is some degree of stability at the guard spots, the Colonials have plenty of questions up front and the situation got even cloudier in the offseason. First, forwards Marquin Chandler (6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg), a 6-6 junior, and Darrio Scott (3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg) decided to leave the program. Then, returning starter Tamal Forchion (7.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) broke his ankle in a summer league game, leaving his status for this season in question. "It would be a major loss," said Hobbs, while pondering the possibility that the 6-6 Forchion might be unable to play. Forchion, a sophomore power forward, led GW in field-goal percentage (.484) and can be an effective inside player at both ends of the floor. "He’s very athletic for his size and he’s very explosive getting to the rim," Hobbs said. "He has a real feel for getting to the basket and scoring." If Forchion cannot come back this season, Hobbs will be left with an all-freshman frontcourt. Even though he likes his incoming recruits a lot, that would worry any coach. Forchion, or no Forchion, the newcomers must contribute up front. GW has lofty expectations for 6-9 Omar Williams, who averaged 22 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and five steals at Celestial Prep in Philadelphia. Williams, who weighs only 180 pounds, can handle the ball and score but must get stronger. "There’s no doubt in my mind that Omar is one of the top 20 players in the country," Hobbs, who has earned the reputation as a top recruiter, said. "He’s got terrific perimeter skills." Hobbs is also high on Mike Hall, a 6-6 forward from Palos Heights, Ill. Hall averaged 14.3 points and 10.3 rebounds at Alan B. Shepard High School and also played for the 2001 AAU national champion Illinois Warriors. Hobbs said Hall, who was rated the seventh-best senior in Illinois by IllinoisHoopStars.com, is like Scottie Pippen because he does so many things so well. "He’s a very, very tough defender, he can shoot the three-pointer, he’s got an excellent mid-range game and he’s a good passer," Hobbs said. "Out of all the guys we signed, he’s the one guy that is very good at everything." An outstanding student, Hall was also pursued by Princeton and is considering attending medical school. Nana "Pops" Mensah-Bonsu, a 6-7 power forward who was born in England, brings a great deal of tenacity from St. Augustine Prep in Richland, N.J. Bensu averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks as a senior for the Hermits and will help replace top rebounder Jaason Smith (9.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg) inside. "His biggest talent to me is the level of intensity with which he plays," Hobbs said. "He plays as hard as any guy I’ve ever seen." Alexander Kireev, a 6-11 native of the Ukraine, will also be expected to contribute in the post as a freshman. Kireev, a 240-pound forward, averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, La. "Alexander will give us a much-needed inside presence," Hobbs said. "Because of his size and skill level, he will be expected to play right away. He’s a great rebounder, he can catch and shoot and he can pass very well for a big man." Jaz Cowan, a 6-6 forward from McDonough High School in Baltimore, will join the Colonials as a walk-on. Cowan is a good mid-range shooter who will be given a chance to contribute. Hobbs may have optimistic eyes, but they aren’t lying eyes. He knows that getting GW back to being one of the better programs in the Atlantic 10 is a realistic and attainable goal, but it is not something he can expect to happen without another solid recruiting class or two. The Colonials have one of the league’s better players in Monroe, but he can carry a team only so far without much help. Hobbs wants to employ an up-tempo style, but may have to slow things down for another year or two until he can build up some quality depth and experience. The lack of an inside game could be lethal. The Colonials will be in much better shape if Forchion returns, but there will be games when they will be swallowed up in the post. Facing David West twice will be a quick and painful learning experience, but it could benefit GW’s freshmen down the road. "Because we are so young, it’s hard to predict how good we’ll be and where we’ll fit in," Hobbs said. As with all rebuilding projects, this one will take time. Hobbs has instilled a passion in his players, so you know the Colonials will compete every time out. GW will win some games that maybe it shouldn’t, but the team isn’t quite ready to rejoin the conference’s elite.
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